Grief Encounter is pleased to announce the implementation of a new first point of contact system for children and young people following the loss of someone close.

Supporting its core services, Grief Encounter’s helpline, grieftalk, will close from 31st May 2024, making way for a new Bereavement Support Team; the phone number, 0808 802 0111, remains unchanged.

Trained specifically to respond to the needs of children, young people, and families in need of grief support, the team will streamline access to support services.  This will ensure that individuals receive tailored assistance for their unique needs and circumstances, offering specialist trauma support for the most vulnerable children, young people, and their families.

Key features of the new system include:

  • Access to a variety of support pathways, including online resources, group sessions, residential weekends, school-based support, and traditional 1:1 counselling.
  • Access to specialist support services such as trauma and sleep support.
  • Access to our recently established hardship fund for the most vulnerable families, offering financial aid in times of crisis due to bereavement.
  • Ongoing evaluation and monitoring to ensure the effectiveness of the new system and identify areas for improvement.

“We are thrilled to introduce our new contact system and Bereavement Support Team which represents a significant step forward in our mission to provide compassionate and comprehensive support to grieving children and young people,” comments Parminder Sahota, Clinical Services Director, Grief Encounter. “This transition will enable us to better meet the diverse needs of those seeking support and ensure that our services remain as accessible and effective as possible.”

For more information about Grief Encounter and its support services, please visit www.griefencounter.org.uk